The uncomfortable pain of acid reflux can be debilitating. It may stop you from leading the life you want. However, there are many things you can do to stop acid reflux in its track. The article below can teach you how.

Your last meal of the day should be consumed a minimum of three hours prior to going to bed. The acid and foods you’ve eaten stay in your stomach when you are awake and upright. Lying down makes it easier for that stomach acid to move upward. Because of this, you should not go to bed less than three hours after your last meal.

If you haven’t already quit smoking, do so now. Smoking makes acid reflux worse, and may actually be a trigger. Tobacco slows down your digestion and increases your stomach acids. It also weakens the muscles of the esophageal sphincter as well. That’s why you should quit today.

Do not lay down for at least two hours following a meal. Your esophagus relaxes when you are lying down allowing stomach acids to rise. You can find relief by remaining in a standing or seated position.

Once you have eaten, exercising too soon after can definitely make your acid reflux worse. The food in the stomach may be pushed up into the esophagus when the lower muscles in the abdomen contract during exercising. Wait about two hours after your meal before you exercise.

Drop pounds. Excess weight in the abdominal region can increase the likelihood of acid reflux. Extra weight around the middle increases pressure on the stomach, causing the reflux. Sometimes, just losing several pounds will help.

Try to wait until between mealtimes to have drinks. That’s because eating and drinking at the same time increases the pressure placed upon your lower esophageal sphincter. This means it can relax and allow some acid through.

Excess Weight

Lose a few pounds if you need to. All that excess weight is only making your acid reflux worse. The excess weight can force acid into your esophagus from your stomach. This causes pain and damages the lining of the esophagus. You need to live a real healthy lifestyle, both in diet and exercise, to lose the weight for real.

Since fatty foods are a major cause of acid reflux, try to eat low-fat foods when possible. Eliminate or reduce fried foods, red meats and other unhealthy items. If you’re not sure how fatty a food is, check its label.

Relax! Avoid eating when you are under stress as this will surely lead to heartburn. You should do some meditation or relaxation exercises after eating a meal. Do not lay down right after you eat, stay upright.

Cinnamon gum is a great remedy for acid reflux sufferers. When you chew gum, salivary glands begin working which helps to neutralize the stomach acid. You also swallow more frequently. This keeps acid in the stomach.

Drink fewer beverages during your meals. Drinking provides added stress to the stomach. This excess stress and pressure make reflux happen. Therefore, try to drink between meals, and if you must drink during your meal, only take very small sips.

Do not eat a meal within 3 hours of going to bed. The reason this is helpful is because your stomach is less efficient at processing food when you are unconscious. When eating right at bedtime, you might end up with acid reflux in the morning.

Acid Reflux

You should not let acid reflux make you feel miserable. With some work, you can put acid reflux in your past. Use the advice you’ve just been given, and take back your life.